Abstract
Montreal is concentrating on making the city appealing to the general public and by extension the entire globe. Considering the possibility of wider and heated sidewalks alongside fewer cars and more trees, Montreal has decided to launch the future of Saint Catherine Street. The street being the most important in the city requires innovation, flexibility and audacity in an effort to offer a description of the dynamic and greener look on the streets. The street is the largest and this means it requires more attention than any other street in the country. There is a dire need for infrastructure reconstruction, especially the road so that the sharing between the buses, cars, pedestrians and cyclists becomes evident [1]. Some parts of the street will have to be converted for only pedestrian use when major events are evident including the times of the year that are busy. The focus is to reopen two major lanes to accommodate the increasing population around the Saint Catherine Street. There will also be an expansion of the sidewalk by two meters further into the street.
Introduction
Snow is an issue for consideration in Montreal, Canada. During winter, the snow covers the ground. During cold periods, the snow turns into ice which becomes very difficult to remove from the ground [1]. As a result, this poses a dangerous situation to the people who use the sidewalks. The people who use the sidewalks are more prone to falling or sliding on the ice. As a result, this leads to painful impacts because some of these pedestrians break their arms or legs [3]. The challenges of ice in Montreal have affected the ability of people to walk confidently for fear of getting hurt. There is urgent need to change the sidewalks in terms of making them safe for walking without falling or sliding. Saint Catherine Street is a busy street in Montreal. This means that most people use this street on a daily basis. The accumulation of ice on its sidewalks poses a challenge to the users, thus subjecting some to hospitalization [1]. There is a dire need to apply an electrical engineering background to ensure that the ice is eradicated and a clear sidewalk created to keep the pedestrians safe. Electric engineering forms the basis for improving the daily lives of the people of Montreal through introducing heated sidewalks to remove snow from the Saint Catherine Street sidewalks.
Overview
Saint Catherine Street is the main street in Montreal and a commercial area where most people converge for service delivery. It is therefore basic that this street is where the concentration of pedestrians is the highest. It is therefore worth considering the application of heated sidewalks in this area [3]. The heated sidewalks will commence from Atwater which intersects Saint Catherine Street and Avenue Atwater to the intersection between Saint Catherine Street and Avenues du Parc. The distance is approximated to be 1.7 miles [4]. These heated sidewalks will be effective upon the installation of electronic coils beneath the tiles so that it acts as the source of heat. When snowy days become evident in Montreal, the switch that is connected to the lactic coils is switched on so that the surface becomes hot and the ice melts. The water that is produced from the melted snow will be drained through the sewerage [2]. This means that the sewer system has to be good in terms of drainage so that any blockage does not worsen the situation. The pedestrians will then walk on the sidewalks with no fear of falling or sliding because of the ice.
Montreal considers building an underground parking so that the loss of parking lots on the surface is compensated. This is a project that will take place from 2016 and expected to end by 2019 with the cost of $95 million. The need to redesign everything in the city is raising concerns but the makeover has to happen based on the ideas that the public consultations yield. The commercial street in Montreal [3] will have major infrastructure works as the city intends to utilize time as an opportunity to facilitate improvements. The leadership of Montreal city strives to avoid work devastations and re-work so that resources are not wasted while trying to revolutionize the sidewalks through heating. The busy street would also enjoy free Wi-Fi, comfortable sitting areas, charging stations and intelligent lighting for the electric vehicles. The speed limit of every car would be reduced to 30 kilometers per hour and 60 parking spots will be eradicated from Mansfield and Aylmer Streets.
Montreal considers underground work crucial in terms of the sewer systems including the water mains because some are outdated after their construction in the 1800s.As a result, the city prefers to do another sinkhole so that the devastating incidences during winter are avoided. Tourist attraction is also a major concern for revamping Saint Catherine Street in Montreal [4]. The existence of heated sidewalks will avert the presence of terraces. These sidewalks will be too narrow to accommodate the terraces and people will not be free enough as they go about daily activities [5]. It is the belief of most businesses that the city’s plan to refurbish Saint Catherine Street will boost the economy because most people will shop on the street without any worries of falling or slipping on the sidewalks. The merchants will reap abundantly rather than dividing their sale strategies into seasons because of the iced streets that deny shoppers an opportunity to hop freely without fear of snow or ice.
The heating up of the coils occurs in an environment-friendly way thus implying that the natural resources are effective. These natural resources can be solar panels or wind power because they are cheap sources of energy and will help reduce costs. However, wind power is more convenient as the primary source of power. This energy source will supply the electricity required by the coils considering that solar panels are expensive [2]. The winter season marks the beginning of river freezing. As a result, it is not realistic to associate hydropower with the electric supply to the coils. Wind power and solar panels are therefore the best sources to supply the energy required without necessarily polluting the atmosphere.
Snowmelt methods
The sidewalk heating technology relies on electric energy as the source of heat [1]. The two sources involved are the combustion heat and the heat with electrical resistance. It is arguable that systems of electric snowmelt require less maintenance compared to the hydroelectric systems due to the less moving parts and the lack of corrosive agents. Most of the emergent snowmelt systems work together with an activation device that is automatic and will turn the system on when there is a sense of freezing temperatures or precipitations [4]. It will also turn off the system when it senses temperatures that exceed freezing. These devices facilitate the ability of the system to remain active during the periods they are useful and also reduce the waste of energy through consumption when not required. The electric motors utilize a high thermostat level, which further boosts the efficiency during the installation together with the automatic controller of snow melting [5]. These materials ensure that the system is temporarily disabled once the slab achieves a snow melting temperature that is sufficient enough. Building codes vary and some require the thermostat of high level in order to avert the wastage of energy. This occurs despite the entire impact on the environment depending on the source of energy. The current electric systems are rendered most cost effective in comparison to the continuous dumping of slat and removing it alongside reducing waste through the extension of life. Electric snowmelt systems comprise of the control unit, heating cable and an activation device [2].
The heating cable is usually built-in to withstand the insensitive conditions and make it appropriate for use in the outdoors. The cable should be tested and listed before using because there is the need for conformance with testing laboratory procedures in the national platform. These cables comprise of either a dual or single conductor that has a protective insulation or coating. The rating of most of these cables is at 105 °C and the watts produced range between 6 and 50 per lineal foot. The spacing of the heating element determines the watts per square foot that is produced. The control units are usually mounted on control panels and the technology used varies depending on the device. Control units differ in terms of technology through the utilization of load and line terminal blocks, activation terminals, relays, transformers and monitoring electronics [3].
Each and every winter in Montreal causes the streets to be icy thus the sidewalks become a challenge. The city has struggled to ensure that the sidewalks are free from snow and ice but the tasks have for the years been considered impossible to achieve. As a result, the Montrealers are left with the absolute battle of slip and slide underneath their boots. The introduction of the heated sidewalks would be the remedy for this issue that has failed to go away. This will be a reality for the Saint Catherine Street that has been for the years congested with people seeking services of different kinds but exposed to the danger of sliding and falling due to the ice. The point of interest is the cost that will be incurred in the installation of the heating system. The source of energy and the management of the melted water is also a point of consideration. The heated sidewalks are expected to commence as soon as possible in order to ease the Montreal residents on issues of falling and sliding [2]. The sidewalks will be beneficial in terms of making the Montreal streets hard to ignore anymore. Being the busiest street, Saint Catherine Street will create an ample environment for businesses to operate without any collision. Despite the heating system expected to cost a lot of money, Montreal will be in a position to save a lot of money as well in terms of removing snow. He costs that are frequently incurred in snow removal would be directed to more productive activities and besides, businesses will also be affected due to the levies they pay. It is necessary to ignore the cost of building heated sidewalks because the long term benefits will improve the economy of Montreal [5]. The winter season also lasts for longer periods thus the need for a long term solution such as the heated sidewalks. The heated sidewalks are the only viable solution of getting against the snow, ice and the cold in Montreal.
Japan case study
Heated sidewalks have existed in Japan for very many years and have proven effective all the way. The idea of trying it out in Montreal may seem impossible mainly because most people believe the taxpayers will not allow it. Heated sidewalks clearly demonstrate the reduction of the budget used in snow removal including the costs incurred during falls and slips on the icy sidewalks. The perception of the Montrealers towards the heated sidewalks varies and most of them believe it is a technology that will go wrong from inception. However, it is worth wondering why people feel Montreal and Canada as a whole do not deserve nice things such as the heated sidewalks. Despite the shortcomings and the ill perceptions of people, the heated sidewalks in Canadian cities may be an idea whose opportunity has come and cannot be stopped. Montreal has for many years directed funds towards snow removal which is costly and affects economic performance because the snow stays for long periods [1]. The consideration of heated sidewalks is better compared to the cost that is incurred in health issues, snow removal and salt from the iced sidewalks. Indeed, sidewalk heating is more sensible at the time instead of any other technology.
Sapporo in Japan has applied the heated sidewalks technology considering that it is the second snowiest city in the globe. At times the winter is record-breaking in Japan because of the accumulation of snow that without the heated sidewalks, it would be difficult to move. The technology is automatic and there is no need for manpower to operate rather than snow removal which requires additional personnel and materials. Japan is a clear example of the impact of heated sidewalks because even at 18 feet of snow, people can still move around unperturbed. Snow does not hold people back in Japan because they walk comfortably holding hands, parents are seen with strollers and people old and young and using a sidewalk completely free of ice and snow [4]. The application of sidewalk heating technology in Montreal would be a great step towards revolutionizing the entire country. Currently, Montreal residents are better off using skis rather than getting around using a car or foot. The sight of babies on strollers and people walking comfortably while holding hands is impossible. According to Mayor Trent, the heated sidewalks can prevent health issues arising from the iced sidewalks. This makes sense in the context of finance especially when the cost of health issues is analyzed to determine the intensity. The city of Montreal cost the government $20million in terms of snow removal operations during the first snow event. The crews in the city operate like an army as they blow snow into the back of trucks and then drive to the river or empty town spaces to dump the ice. The $20million that is spent per snow event is expensive when calculated over every snow event in Montreal [2]. It is worth wondering whether there is the need for failing to achieve a better standard of living through incorporating a simple technology of heated sidewalks.
Benefits of heated sidewalks
Heated sidewalks are beneficial in terms of eliminating costs regarding salting and snow-clearing in the downtown. This is inclusive of the human cost of the people who break and slip and break their bones. Japan being the best example of effective sidewalk heating has a population comprising of 2 million people in Sapporo. Despite the 18 feet snow level this winter, their downtown is slush-free, snow-free and filled with people moving as usual. The heated sidewalks in Japan involve heating wires or pipes that have been installed under the sidewalks when a block in the city is undergoing repair [1]. This renders work easier because the process is conducted in bits thus the lack of inconvenience as people go about their daily activities. However, the case for Montreal is different because there is a one chance of a lifetime to change things once and for all. This is because Saint Catherine Street can be entirely ripped up for repair reasons. As a result, it is cheaper and easier compared to the manner in which the North American downtown street was first heated.
Heated sidewalks are indeed a great way of ensuring the downtowns fight back against the indoor malls since most people have preferences of comfortable outdoors. They are also a great tourist attraction phenomenon because most countries with ice and snow have not embraced the heated sidewalks technology [2]. People would come from everywhere in the world to see how the heated sidewalks work like it is in the case of Montreal at the moment. The advancing technology throughout the world is changing the way people are looking at things. It is possible to change a situation through applying ideas such as heated sidewalks to restore comfort to the streets despite the season being winter [4]. Despite the fear emanating from the cost incurred in installation, it is worth realizing that some cities utilize pipes that are filled with steam exhausters that emanate from huge downtown buildings. Montreal is stable enough in terms of thermal energy and can easily heat the entire Saint Catherine Street.
Shortcomings of Heated Sidewalks
Besides the cost that is incurred in healthcare and snow removal, Mayor Trent asserts that the cost of salt is unavoidable. The salt in itself is a cost but there is the additional cost that results in the infrastructure wreak because of salt. The heated sidewalks are a possible technology because Montreal already has a huge underground steam system [3]. This makes work easier and because thermal energy is easily available to any person that has the willingness to dig. Montreal that is already in the midst of long and adverse winter season needs to find a way fast in order to solve the ice issue once and for all. Montreal has been associated with Canada’s most corrupt and uses technology to boost urban life. This idea has in the past years drawn contempt from the Montrealers who render it another scheme to fill pockets of crooks [1]. This is an indication that launching heated sidewalks would pose a challenge of acceptance among the Montrealers. Since the winter season begun, the Montrealers have been sliding, grumbling and slipping as they go about the iced sidewalks. The main reason for this is attributed to the unheated sidewalk program that has failed to take effect since its proposal. The iced sidewalks are also caused by the iced pavements that fail to clear after a storm comprising of mini-ice.
Conclusion
The heated sidewalks will ensure that there is no more ice or snow that requires clearing on the streets of Montreal. The city has always used expensive plows to clear the snow and in most cases, people are not happy about them because of the harassment the pedestrians get from them downtown. The pedestrians are usually forced to leap because of the ice patches, slush paddles or snow banks [5]. However, the introduction of the sidewalk heating technology will erase all these memories because the ice will melt as soon as the electric coil is switched on. It is the hopes and best interests of the Canadian people that after this technology is applied to Montreal, other cities should also adopt it so that the country becomes snow and ice-free in the long run.
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